Carlos Alcaraz joins legendary tennis star with unique record after thrilling victory over Jannik Sinner in French Open

Spain’s young tennis star Carlos Alcaraz achieved another milestone after his recent win in the French Open. The 21-year-old, along with Italy's Jannik Sinner, is often regarded as the most highly-rated player currently playing in the men’s singles category.

Alcaraz is currently participating in the French Open, where he booked his place in the final after being the newly crowned world number one Sinner in a five-set thriller with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

It was the 11th time Alcaraz’s match went on five sets; the 10th time, he came out on top. By doing that, he equalled the record of the former world number one and America’s legendary tennis star Pete Sampras.

It was the first time in the French Open 2024 that Alcaraz’s match went into the fifth set. Previously, the current world number three had only one match where the contest went into four sets.

In the round of 128, the two-time Grand Slam winner defeated the Netherlands’ Jesper De Jong with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. In the second round, he defeated America’s Sebastian Korda in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6, 6-3.

In the third round, Alcaraz secured a thumping win against Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. In the quarterfinal, he overpowered Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 6-1.

In the final, Alcaraz will face Germany’s Alexander Zverev. The 27-year-old defeated last year’s runner-up in the semifinal with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

It will be the 10th time both players will face off in professional tennis. Interestingly, in the previous nine outings, Zverev had a slight edge with five wins compared to Alcaraz's four victories. Their most recent appearance came in the quarterfinal of Indian Wells, where the Spaniard won 6-3, 6-1.